Celebrating the achievements of alumni in Bulgaria

When outstanding individuals receive a world-class education in the UK, the effects can last a lifetime. The Alumni Awards pay tribute to the impact that alumni of UK higher education institutions have had in their chosen field, and how this was sparked by their studies in the UK.

There are three award categories: Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial and Social Impact

Professional Achievement Award recognising UK alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership and achievements in their professional industry, and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession, and beyond.

Entrepreneurial Award recognising UK alumni who are active in initiating or contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities that have the potential for strong growth.

Social Impact Award recognising UK alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.

The winners will be announced at the Global Awards Ceremony in April 2019.

If you are an alumnus of a UK university and you want the world to know how your work is making a difference, you can apply for next year’s awards.

Applications close at 23.59 (GMT) on 11 November 2018. We look forward to hearing your story.

Why enter?

All selected award finalists benefit from increased PR and press opportunities that raise their profile and share their success with international audiences. Winners of the global awards will be celebrated on a global scale and invited to the UK for a networking and professional development opportunity. Following the awards, winners will be invited to join our panel of judges, to participate in the judging of future award competitions.

All applicants, except award winners, from the Alumni Awards in previous years may re-apply if they meet this year’s eligibility criteria.

Applicants must not be currently employed by the British Council or Gradcore or be an immediate family member of a British Council or Gradcore employee. (In this case immediate family member is defined as one's spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings and immediate in-laws (mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law). Adopted children and stepchildren are also counted as immediate family members.

Judging criteria

Judging criteria

All eligible applications will be assessed on the extent to which they meet the following five criteria:

IMPACT: evidence of tangible impact, and scale of impact, of your work (inspired by your UK education) in your profession/community/society.

UK INFLUENCE: evidence of how your UK education has played a key influence in your success and impact.

MEDIA TRACTION: Extent to which your success story is likely to resonate with local/regional/national media in your country of entry, or beyond (global media).

POTENTIAL TO INFLUENCE AND INSPIRE: Extent to which (including capacity and willingness) you and your story are likely to influence and inspire the next generation of prospective internationally mobile students in your country of entry to choose the UK as their study destination.

QUALITY OF APPLICATION

Shortlisting process and timeline

Shortlisting process

The top 30 applications in each region will be shortlisted from all eligible applicants through several stages of judging, including internal and external judging panels involving British Council Regional Directors, Universities UK International, Chevening and Commonwealth, and UK universities, all of whom will review anonymised applications to select the 21 shortlisted global finalists. The global finalists will then be shortlisted by our global judging panel to select the three global winners, one for each of the award categories (Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial and Social Impact). In addition, a small number of selected countries hosting national level events will conduct their own shortlisting panels, including senior staff from the British Council and the British Embassy/High Commission, to select their national level finalists and winners. All national awards are independent to the global awards.

28 October 2018Deadline for all nominations

11 November 2018Applications close at 23.59 (GMT)

November & December 2018Shortlisting of applications

January 2019Announcement of finalists

January to March 2019National Alumni Award ceremonies (in selected countries)

Connect with us

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). British Council - branch Bulgaria is registered as a branch of a foreign non-profit organisation in public benefit with local tax number 176540548.